***********************************************************************
NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
UPDATE
**********************************************************************
***********************************************************************
Copyright 2008 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible
for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or
redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its
entirety and without alteration.
DATE : June 1, 2008
SUBJECT: California: San Onofre State Beach
TO : Naturists and other concerned citizens
Dear Naturist,
This is an Update from the Naturist Action Committee. NAC is making you aware of recent developments, favorable and unfavorable, that are part of a serious threat in the state of California.
A VERY BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION
As detailed in the NAC Action Alert of May 21, 2008, Ruth Coleman, Director of California's Department of Parks and Recreation, has abruptly terminated the Department's application of the Cahill Policy to clothing-optional portions of San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County. The Cahill Policy has been used successfully for decades as a management tool for clothing-optional areas within California State Parks.
The specious justification being given by CA Parks for the selective revocation of Cahill at San Onofre State Beach is that doing so will eliminate illicit sexual activity that occurs primarily on an adjacent military beach. The recision of the Cahill Policy would pave the way for park rangers to issue citations for simple nudity on the State Beach under Title 14, Section 4322 of the California Code of Regulations.
For a more detailed history of the situation and specifics of the Cahill Policy, please refer to the NAC Action Alert of May 21. You will find it on NAC's Web page: www.naturistaction.org Look under "ALERTS."
NAC THANKS YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING!!
In its NAC Action Alert of May 21, the Naturist Action Committee asked for your specific action in sending correspondence to CA Parks Director Ruth Coleman, opposing the revocation of the Cahill Policy at San Onofre. Your response has been overwhelming. Thank you!
Many hundreds of you have copied NAC on your correspondence. The quality and thoughtfulness of what you've written is gratifying. And the volume has been impressive. Director Coleman's office in Sacramento reports a significantly "increased work load" as a direct result of your letters, faxes and e-mails.
IMPORTANT: CONTINUE CONTACTING THE CA PARKS DIRECTOR
If you have not yet contacted the CA Parks Director, it's not too late. We won't repeat the full details here, but you can find information on contacting the Director (and suggestions for what to say) in the NAC Action Alert of May 21, 2008. You will find the Alert on NAC's Web page: www.naturistaction.org. Look under "ALERTS."
WHAT HAS NAC BEEN DOING?
The Naturist Action Committee took swift action at the onset of this situation and is continuing that action.
1) NAC has submitted to CA Parks a formal request for an
administrative stay on implementation of this abrupt change
in policy.
2) NAC has made multiple Public Records requests for documents
pertaining to this situation and the administrative action
surrounding it.
3) NAC has retained a specialized lobbyist to assist and advise
in the area of regulatory procedure.
4) NAC has retained an attorney specifically for this matter
and has begun the process that will ultimately result in
civil action against the State of California and the
Department of Parks and Recreation.
5) NAC continues working closely with Friends of San Onofre
Beach, the local user group. Together, NAC and FOSOB
staged a rally at the beach on May 24. Together, NAC
and FOSOB met face-to-face with CA Parks officials on
May 29.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Rangers had been told to begin "educating" beachgoers, starting June 1. The initiation of that exercise has been delayed by the insignificant period of a day. The issuing of citations for nudity in the traditional clothing-optional area was initially set to follow after 30 days. Now, CA Parks has delayed that action to commence after Labor Day.
Of course, neither of these is a meaningful or acceptable response to the concerns of naturists.
WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?
1) Stay informed. NAC will continue to issue Action Alerts,
Advisories and Updates on this issue as circumstances
require. Look for them.
2) If you haven't already done so, write to the Director of
the California Department of Parks & Recreation.
It's not too late.
3) *THIS IS IMPORTANT!* Keep going to the beach at San Onofre,
and keep using it in the traditional clothing-optional
manner. CA Parks is attempting to intimidate beachgoers
into simply evaporating. We must NOT allow that to happen!
4) If you are approached by a ranger on the beach or in the
parking area, make a detailed note of the encounter,
including the date, the time, the ranger's name and what
was said. E-mail your account to:
sanonofre@naturistaction.org
Do not be combative or confrontational, but you may make
it quite clear that you are taking notes.
MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Update on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee.
Select "Alerts" and find this NAC Update under Current Updates.
PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!
NAC is committed to the defense of traditional clothing-optional use of public land. Not surprisingly, hiring lawyers and lobbyists is a very expensive part of such a necessary defense. NAC does not have a membership roster on which it can assess dues. NAC relies entirely on the voluntary support of people like YOU.
Won't you please send a generous donation to:
NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903
Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 (8AM-5PM weekdays) to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/
Thank you for choosing to make a difference.
Naturally,
Allen Baylis
Board Member
Naturist Action Committee
---------------------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
---------------------------------------------------------------
